The Hercules
Digifire 7.1 is designed to allow 7.1 channels of audio. but before I go
into loads of the details of that I will give you a bit of background
into the workings of 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 channel sound.

5.1 Channels

5.1 channel
sound is 5 channels of audio stream and 1 for the LFE (Low Frequency
Effects). The setup would be 3 front speakers 1 right one centre and one
left. There would then be 2 surround speakers. one left and 1 right. The
.1 represents the subwoofer which is best placed out of the way under
the desk etc to produce the best effects. The good thing about LFE and
and the subwoofer is that it creates a feeling that the sound is
everywhere despite where you put the actually speaker.

6.1 Channels

With the 5.1
sound system there was 5 channels and a LFE channel. With 6.1 however
there isn't a 6th audio stream., The 6th satellite speaker is utilised
by combining the effects from the left and right channel and mixing them
to produce a rear speaker. The 6.1 system is the first system to
introduce a rear speaker. You will still have the 2 surround speakers on
either side of your seated position but now you can be immersed in the
sound, even if there are no more original sounds to be heard.

To make use of
this Dolby created a new sound system called Dolby Digital Surround -EX.
This system first used in cinema's and now on DVD's allows users with
this special speaker setup to utilize the rear speaker by using a matrix
system to mix the the left and right surround channels. This means that
Dolby Digital-EX is still considered to be a 5.1 channel system because
it is not "true 6.1 audio" however it does feel like it, that's good
enough for most people.

7.1 Channels

The capability
of the Hercules Digifire and the Dolby Digital Surround-EX system comes
into play when you have the 7.1 setup. This yet again adds another
surround speaker to your system. This time you have your basic 3 front
speakers (left, right and centre) but this time you have left surround,
right surround, left rear surround and right rear surround. This means
that because you don't have a central rear speaker the Dolby track and
your sound hardware will have to decide how to position this sound. The
matrix system again comes into play to position your rear sounds where
they need to be played. This is done again by mixing the original 2
surround channels so its still a 5.1 system but its enhanced and again
it feels much better.

So the Digifire
7.1, looking at the diagram above just shows you how you can be truly
immersed in sound and have a cinematic experience.

Technical Specs

AC `97 2.1 Link CODEC, PC `99 and PCI 2.1 interface

DSP 255 MIPS SLIMD architecture

Supports DirectSound 3D, EAX, A3D 1.x and echo
cancellation

Wavetable synthesis with unlimited number of channels,
DLS and 10-band graphic equalizer

The Hercules
Digifire 7.1 can operate in normal speaker mode, 5.1 mode 6.1 mode or
7.1 mode. To get the most out of the card you should be looking at
having the 6.1 or the 7.1 speaker setup's., Most of today's cards can
handle 5.1 decoding. The main advantage of this card is to decode the
Dolby Digital Surround-EX audio streams for 6.1 and 7.1 sound.

Another great
feature of this card is that like the SB Audigy series it comes with a
IEEE1394 ports for connecting digital video camera's or external hard
drives or CD burners. You can also link to PC's with this card together
to create a fast gaming network. Hercules includes Power Director Pro
2.5 for creating your home movies with you camera and add your own
sounds.

Well If any of you have read quite a lot of sound card reviews here at
PantherProducts you will know that I love my sound. As I use my
computer as y TV, stereo, and DVD player the sound system is very
important. To be totally immersed in sound can only be a good thing
when watching your favourite DVD. If I had to say something negative
about the card its that to use 7.1 sound you would need to have a room
a little bigger than your average Bedroom. Using it in a sizable
lounge though will give great results. 6.1 is more than adequate. And
for those of you that haven't experienced Surround sound, then a 5.1
system will still have you feeling a better cinematic experience.